CH 34 Part 2 Notes (35 DE)
Hitler’s Belligerency and U.S. Neutrality—WW2 BEGINS IN EUROPE SEP 1939—THE USA NEUTRAL**
Joseph Stalin, the Dictator of the Soviet Union (USSR), was a key to the peace puzzle.
In the summer of 1939, (before War in Europe which begins in Sep. 1939), the British and French were busily negotiating with “Papa Joe” to secure a mutual defense treaty---HOWEVER---“PAPPA JOE HAD OTHER PLANS—AND THESE SHOCKED THE WORLD****
THE GERMANY-USSR NON-AGGRESSION PACT, 1939 – August 23 (a couple weeks before war in Europe begins) 1939--- THE “HITLER-STALIN” PACT –was a green light for Germany to attack POLAND****(Which begins WW2 in Europe) – without worrying about the USSR—
****This agreement between Germany and their mortal enemies the USSR made no sense—politically—COMMUNISM AND NAZISM WERE OPPOSITES***however it made sense to dictators who did not feel fixes to any political persuasion—and had no constituencies to please—they were dictators who wanted power and land and more power***
Many shocked observers (the democracies of Britain, France, and the USA—and others) were almost hoping that these two behemoths would fight each other**** yet these shrewd leaders surprised the world by supposedly joining to attack Poland—Germany taking some and Russia taking some*****
Hitler stated after the Munich Conference, that the Sudetenland… “is the last territorial claim I have to make in Europe.” many believed him and thought the “appeasement” would bring, “peace in our time,” (BR. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlin) HOWEVER THIS WAS NOT THE CASE!!!!
HITLER now demands from Poland the areas of land that were taken away after WWI in the treaty of Versailles********** The powers (BR-FR-Poland) FINALLY SAY NO MORE******
SO---SEPTEMBER 1, 1939***********WW2 IN EUROPE BEGINS*********** WHEN GERMANY ATTACKS POLAND AT DAWN SEP. 1ST.************
“When you start a war, what matters is not who is right, but who wins. Close your hearts to pity. Act with brutality. Eighty million Germans must get what is their due. Their existence must be made secure. The Stronger Man is in the right.” Adolf Hitler***
Britain and France, honoring their commitments to Poland, DECLARE WAR ON GERMANY***THE ERA OF “APPEASEMENT” WAS OVER****Poland, however, falls in 3 weeks AND THE SOVIET UNION ATTACKED POLAND FROM THE EAST AS WELL ---beginning Sep 17th, 1939*** ending Oct 6, 1939—Germany and the USSR split Poland***The evidence of the Katyn massacre is held in secret, especially after the USSR becomes our ally against Hitler, until after WW2 and the cold war made it profitable to exploit---over 20,000 Polish military officers and leaders were murdered by the USSR—in order to make taking over easier---their mass graves were found later*** hundreds of thousands were slaughtered by the Germans and the Soviets***
It is a sad story and one of many from WW2.
America’s reaction to the invasion of Poland was to DECLARE NEUTRALITY***BUT PAY ATTENTION***WHAT WILL THIS NEUTRALITY LOOK LIKE*** WILL IT BE THE SAME AS BEFORE**OR WILL THIS CHANGE*** WILL CONGRESS CHANGE***WILL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FINALLY WAKE UP***WHAT IS AMERICAS CHANGE AFTER EACH EVENT***CAN YOU DOCUMENT THE CHANGE?
THE American PEOPLE in September of 1939 were overwhelmingly anti-Nazi and anti-Hitler*** BUT THEY WERE EQUALLY DETERMINED TO STAY OUT OF THIS WAR***
Neutrality became a heated debate in America now—Britain and France urgently needed supplies and weapons—BUT THE Neutrality Acts stopped America from helping (or did it?)
****FDR summons Congress into emergency session for 6 weeks after WW2 began in Europe—*****The Neutrality Act of 1939 (4th neutrality act but**very different***change is occurring slowly but in response to WW2 beginning) –this neutrality act (1939) is often called the CASH AND CARRY BILL****WHICH ALLOWED THE DEMOCRACIES TO BUY WAR SUPPLIES IN THE USA IF THEY BROUGHT THEIR OWN SHIPS TO THE USA TO BRING THE SUPPLIES TO EUROPE***AND PAY FOR THEM IN CASH (GOLD)---This way America could avoid the “problems of WWI” –avoid: loans, war debts, and the torpedoing of American vessels**************************************************
This law clearly favored the democracies*** and was intended to do so**** The USA helped itself financially and morally*** the impact was enormous*** ending the “Roosevelt recession” and solving the decade long unemployment crisis****THE CASH AND CARRY BILL (NEUTRALITY ACT OF 1939) WAS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE PRECEDING 3 ACTS AND CLEARLY BEGAN TO MOVE MORE AMERICAN POLITICIANS INTO “INTERNATIONALIST” THINKING ---BUT STILL NOT QUITE COMPLETELY AND NOT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE***
The Fall of France***pay attention to our reaction to this politically (big change****)
The months immediately following the collapse of Poland –were known as the “Phony War”—due to the lack of fighting that occurred ---a silence fell over Europe—Hitler began to shift his immense and powerful Army to invade France--- The Soviet Union attacked neighboring Finland--- The US Congress loaned Finland 30$million for non-military supplies (rewarding them for being the only nation to pay back its WWI debts to that date) BUT THEY WERE CRUSHED.
APRIL 1940 the “Phony War” ended when Hitler overran Denmark and Norway—in May Hitler attacked the Netherlands and Belgium—and then INVADED FRANCE*** IN LESS THAN 60 DAYS FRANCE SURRENDERS***(A HUGE TURNING POINT) [GREAT BRITAIN IS ALL THAT IS LEFT}
HITLER COMES TO PARIS—the British Army were routed and BARELY ESCAPE
NOTE:---IN ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST ESCAPES –DUNKIRK*** OPERATION DYNAMO -the British Army was pinned against the beaches on the English Channel and should have been completely destroyed***but the Germans argued about which armed force (Air Force or Army) should get the “honor” in destroying the British Army---as they argued millions of boats, ships, dinghies, anything that could float came across the channel and saved, in 9 days, Belgian, French and British troops trapped on the beaches---“a miracle of deliverance,” over 340, 000 soldiers were saved---by regular citizens aiding the British Navy---they had to leave behind all of their war supplies, weapons, and equipment BUT ---WOW
American reaction to the Fall of France***- this shocked Americans – all that stood between Hitler and America was a group of small islands –Great Britain—if Britain fell---UH OH---
FDR – called Congress to respond—37$Billion later—within a year—larger than the total cost of fighting WWI and 5 X larger than any New Deal budget--- a two-ocean navy is begun to be constructed and a huge fleet of various types of airplanes –tanks –etc—are built immediately (We are not at war, yet) all of this in response to the fall of France ---and they are not done***
September 6, 1940 (5 days after WW2 began in Europe) Congress passes A CONSCRIPTION (DRAFT) LAW--- *****AMERICAS 1ST EVER “PEACETIME DRAFT” IN ITS HISTORY TO THIS POINT******
Initially 1.2 million men were drafted immediately into the armed services and over 800,000 into the reserves---WERE WE IN TIME?
What about our “Good Neighbors” in Latin America---THE HAVANA CONFERENCE—1940 –several countries already defeated by Germany has colonies in the Caribbean---Dutch, Denmark, and France*** What would happen to them? Would Germany attempt to use these islands as a base from which to attack America? At the Havana Conference—all 21 countries of the “Americas” would group together to enforce the provisions of the “Monroe Doctrine” [non-intervention and non-colonization from European Countries] ***This becomes huge for all of us ---no fighting on land takes place in the entire hemisphere during WW2 (while many of us are even here today )
Bolstering Britain with the Destroyer Deal (1940) a pretty big “internationalist” response to the fall of France, eh?
Now that Britain was all that remained between Hitler and the USA---FDR ACTS ON HIS OWN***
THE DESTROYER FOR BASES DEAL IS NOT DEBATED IN CONGRESS IT IS DONE BY EXECUTIVE ACTION---FDR ALONE MAKES THIS DECISION****The “Battle of Britain” (Hitler’s massive continuous bombing of Britain) (the USA is still “neutral” and not at war with anyone, yet)
Begins in Sept. 1940 –about 1 year after WW2 began---during the awesome and difficult time for GREAT BRITAIN--- DEBATE IN THE USA INTENSIFIES GREATLY---The Radio brought nightly reports of the horrible bombings—children were moved out of the cities into the countryside—Pregnant mothers were moved as well--
WHAT FOREIGN POLICY SHOULD THE USA EMBRACE AT THIS POINT??? ****
Sympathy for Britain grew –but not enough for the People or Congress to support WAR***
FDR had two (2) choices:
1 Continue Americas Isolationist path and “hunker down” in a “FORTRESS AMERICA” and let the rest of the world go it alone---OR
2AID BRITAIN by all means short of war itself---
Both sides had supporters.
Position #1 was supported by The America First Committee – Isolationists who were determined to avoid American bloodshed at all costs and argued that America should concentrate its strength on defending its own shores—their most effective supporter was Charles Lindbergh.
Position #2 was supported by The Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies – Their argument appealed to Isolationists and Interventionists – it could support Britain by claiming they were fighting “our fight” for us—or – claim—by giving assistance to the democracies we were doing everything we could except fight the war—“All methods short of war.”
German submarines, the technologically improved U-Boat, were sinking ships bringing food and supplies to Britain with alarming success--- BRITAIN NEEDED DESTROYERS (ships that hunted submarines and protected convoys of ships carrying much needed supplies)
FDR’S EXECUTIVE ACTION: THE DESTROYER FOR BASES DEAL****
Sep. 2, 1940 FDR agreed to transfer 50 older US destroyers to GB—In return GB promised to give us 8 valuable defensive base sites—from Newfoundland in Canada to South America—and these sites would remain under US control for 99 years. This was done without Congressional approval*** and the transaction was a simple handshake between FDR & Churchill.
American reaction was typically mixed—those that supported aiding Britain short of war applauded ---Those opposed –could claim FDR was using too much power or just opposed anything FDR did or were concerned that this could cause us to go to war…
FDR felt as though the crisis was so grave---and timely that he must do this himself and quickly.
This was a violation of our Neutrality**** BUT FINALLY***THE MAJORITY OF THE PUBLIC SUPPORTED FDR’S ACTIONS (according to newspaper polls at the time)
FDR Shatters the Two-Term Tradition (Election of 1940)
In the midst of this crisis came a Presidential Election. {Election Map p. 820 DE)***
The Republicans nominated Wendell Willkie from Indiana—who had been a democrat until recently---The Republican Platform criticized FDR’s “dictatorship” and the New Deal
The Democrats and FDR wait until the last minute to declare his candidacy—and intent to challenge the Two-Term tradition, that had never been broken---YET, BUT FDR and the Dem’s felt the situation was too important to step down now ---that the country needed during this crisis an experienced leader.
Results:
FDR Democrat27.3 million449
WillkieRepublican22.3 million 82
FDR wins despite the “3rd Term handicap” voters generally felt that should war come, the experienced and tried leader was needed at the top.
Congress Passes the Landmark “Lend-Lease”Law- Bill # 1776*** --see above
THE USA BECOMES THE “ARSENAL OF DEMOCRACY” T0 THE WORLD !!!! (one of the most important strategic actions of WW2---to give us victory********************************************
Britain was almost defeated and needed help badly---in every way----
FDR came up with an idea—“Lend-Lease” – he would lend or lease American Military supplies to our allies to fight---and after the war they could return them---slightly used that way there was not any worry about loans etc…
“When the shooting was over the guns and tanks could be returned, just as one’s next-door neighbor would return a garden hose when a threatening fire was put out.”- FDR********
Bill # 1776 – An Act Further to Promote the Defense of the United States—was proposed just after FDR won the election of 1940---
Unlike the “Bases for Destroyer” deal in which FDR took an “Executive Action” by himself---this bill was debated throughout the country and in Congress:
Opposition was from Isolationists and Anti-Roosevelt Republicans---
BUT---in March of 1941---This Bill was passed by both houses of Congress by huge majorities***
Lend-Lease “was one of the most momentous laws EVER TO PASS CONGRESS**** - it was a challenge thrown directly at the AXIS (Germany-Italy-Japan) Dictators—America had finally pledged itself to help those nations fighting against the “Axis of Evil.”
When Lend-Lease ended in 1945 after the conclusion of WW2--- America had sent *****50 Billion$ worth of arms and equipment to those nations fighting the “Axis of Evil.” THIS WAS AN ECONOMIC DECLARATION OF WAR****** (WE ARE STILL 8 MONTHS AWAY FROM PEARL HARBOR)
NOTE: Reflect here and consider how our neutrality had changed since the 1935,36, 37 Neutrality Acts******
How does each event bring us closer or not to war**** an essay question for sure****************************
By its very nature the Lend-Lease Bill marked the abandonment of any “neutrality.” It was not a privately arranged deal like the Destroyers for Bases deal--- The bill was universally debated, from town to town—city to city—rural and urban—Men and Women--- from California to Maine--- AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATION SUPPORTED THIS TREMENDOUS ACTION****THIS WAS A RISK****BUT MOST CITIZENS WERE WILLING TO TAKE THIS RISK RATHER THAN HAVE TO FACE THE COMBINED POWER OF THE “AXIS OF EVIL” ALONE****
An incidental result of Lend-Lease was to gearing US Factories for ALL-OUT War production. This aided employment and WHEN WE ARE ATTACKED AND FORCED INTO WW2 WE WERE MORE PREPARED***
HITLER RECOGNIZED THE SIGNIFICANCE AS WELL ---HE HAD AVOIDED, UP TO THIS POINT ATTACKING AMERICAN SHIPS----BUT THAT ENDED AFTER LEND-LEASE****
THE ROBIN MOOR, US SHIP was sunk by German U-boats on May 21, 1941 in the South Atlantic outside the WAR ZONE*** the sinking’s had started –on a limited scale.
Hitler’s Assault on the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa) spawns the ATLANTIC CHARTER***
YOU NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE MEETINGS BETWEEN THE ALLIES****the atlantic charter meeting is the 1st***what was decided at each meeting***you need to know these*****
Before Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941*** Two (2) globe-shaking events occur---
1 –The Fall of France in June of 1940
2 – Hitler’s invasion of the USSR in June of 1941
Since the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Treaty was signed in 1939---both countries became very uncertain of the others intentions**** They attempted to negotiate a split of spoils in Europe but failed to come to an agreement---therefore Hitler decided to seize the oil and other resources of the Soviet Union and CRUSH THEM**** AND ASSUMED THIS COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED IN A FEW SHORT WEEKS****[MANY HISTORIANS CLAIM THIS WAS ONE OF TWO MAJOR MISTAKES THAT COST GERMANY THE WAR] the other was declaring war on the USA after Pearl Harbor---he did not have to do this and this brought the USA into North Africa and ultimately to his defeat with the USSR on the other side---Hitler crushed in between.
Americans responded with glee---let the two wackos kill each other off---
“If we see that Germany is winning, we ought to help Russia, and if we see that Russia is winning, we ought to help Germany, and that way let them kill as many as possible.”
Senator (later President after FDR’s death)-Harry S. Truman-1941
FDR knew that having the mighty forces of the USSR on the Allies side would be HUGE---AND IMMEDIATELY PROMISED ASSISTANCE TO THE SOVIET UNION*** several months later Congress agrees to add the USSR to the list of LEND-LEASE RECIPIENTS---$$$11 BILLION IN TOTAL DURING WW2****THIS AID AND A DEVASTATING WINTER HALTED THE GERMAN ARMY JUST OUTSIDE MOSCOW*** (LIKE NAPOLEON)
AT THIS POINT***FDR MEETS WITH WINSTON CHURCHILL (GB) off the coast of Newfoundland AND FORMULATES THE “ATLANTIC CHARTER.” AUGUST 1941 (STILL 5 MONTHS BEFORE THE USA ENTERS WW2 AFTER PEARL HARBOR)
The agreement had 8 points and was signed onto by the USSR later in 1941---
The plan outlined the goals of the Allied (and USSR) for a better world at the conclusion of WW2***
1 – No Territorial gains were sought by the United States or GB
2- Any Territorial adjustments done at the end of the War must be in accord with the wishes of the peoples concerned